Written by Priscilla Waggoner on 27 September 2017. Posted in Long Time Gone

Several months ago, the Kiowa County Independent let readers know that we would be periodically printing original stories by Marvin Hasser, selected from his book titled “Oscar Hasser Cow Puncher ‘South of the Arkansas’”. The book is a compilation of stories Mr. Hasser wrote about his father, a feat he attributes to “the great love and pride I have in my heart for my dad” and accomplished so that his children might know their grandfather a little better so he will be forever in their memory.

Written by Priscilla Waggoner on 02 November 2016. Posted in Long Time Gone

A herd of Buffalo appear out of nowhere during Lakota Sioux peaceful protest of the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline project. The project crosses sacred land and could potentially threaten their clean water source.

Written by Priscilla Waggoner on 06 September 2016. Posted in Long Time Gone

The Civil War has just ended. The North is experiencing a boom of industrialization and growth, and an expansive market has opened up for beef. Meanwhile, down in Texas, there are between 3 and 5 million wild cattle roaming the hills—not the docile cattle found in other parts of the country. These were Longhorns, mainly known for the four to seven foot spread of their horns and their less than calm temperament.

Written by Priscilla Waggoner on 11 August 2016. Posted in Long Time Gone

Most people who grew up watching Westerns were swept away by the romance on the big screen. It’s a natural enough reaction. Spend enough hours in a dark theater munching (preferably buttered) popcorn with the likes of Eastwood or McQueen (not to mention the Duke, Coop, Fonda or Stewart) staring down from the big screen, and you’ll gladly join the ranks of those who swear that, in the old days on the frontier, good guys were always clean with nice boots and really smart, loyal horses while the bad guys all wore dirty clothes and had bad teeth.

Written by Priscilla Waggoner on 04 August 2016. Posted in Long Time Gone

In my opinion, one of the more unpleasant aspects of an election season is the never ending quest of the media to find “dirt” in a candidate’s past. While it may be—and, at times, probably is—important to learn of the smudge on an individual’s record of personal history, it occasionally feels like a point learned long ago is being rubbed in. No one is perfect. Everyone, even those we view as heroes, has those proverbial skeletons in their closet.